TU Dortmund University Starts the New Academic Year – Semester Kicks Off in the Stadium

On Thursday, 13 October, and true to tradition, TU Dortmund University started the new academic year in the SIGNAL IDUNA PARK stadium. On the occasion of the event in the stadium of Borussia Dortmund football club, TU Dortmund University welcomed its new students to the university and the city.

“I wish you every success with your studies. Shape them according to your ability and interests and please also attend lectures at other departments to broaden your horizons,” said Professor Manfred Bayer, President of TU Dortmund University, in his welcoming address. “We find ourselves in not entirely easy times,” he continued, but assured the new students that everything would be done, despite the coronavirus pandemic and the current energy crisis, to keep in-person operations at the university up and running in the coming months: “We have made provisions for the winter as best we can.”

20th anniversary of the welcome event for new students in the stadium

The university heralded in the new academic year at the stadium together with the city, the theater, the General Student Committee, Dortmund Student Services and the football club. This year, the welcome event for new students at the SIGNAL IDUNA PARK stadium celebrated its 20th anniversary: The event first took place there in 2002. The new students experienced a wide and varied program. Christoph Edeler, Head of University Sports at TU Dortmund University, was the emcee. The cello quartet of Dortmund Philharmonic Orchestra provided the musical accompaniment. Songs by the university choir resounded as the participants entered and left the stadium, and Mandla Mndebele from Dortmund Opera highlighted the event’s united and encouraging message by singing “You'll never walk alone”.

The football anthem sends an important message beyond the stadium too, as Mayor Thomas Westphal said in a video message: “‘You’ll never walk alone’ is not just a song sung by football fans in the stands, but is also the spirit of this city.” Johannes Zedel from Dortmund Student Services and Thomas Treß, Managing Director of BVB, also welcomed the students “to the best stadium in the world”. The deans of the departments and the General Student Committee, represented by chairpersons David Wiegmann and Leonie Lippert, also welcomed the new students.

Three men, one of whom is holding a ball and a microphone, stand side by side in front of a stand in a soccer stadium. — Professor Manfred Bayer, President of TU Dortmund University (left), emcee Christoph Edeler (center) and BVB’s managing director Thomas Treß (right) welcomed the new students in the stadium.

As a symbolic start to the new semester, Professor Manfred Bayer kicked a football signed by the BVB team into the crowd, which was skillfully caught by a lucky winner. In addition, BVB legend Teddy de Beer used a dartboard to draw three lucky winners, who received vouchers from Dortmund Student Services.

With around 4,900 new enrolments by 13 October, the number of new students at TU Dortmund University in the 2022/23 winter semester is nearing the previous year’s figure. However, the final number will not be known until the beginning of December, as in many subjects students still have the opportunity to enroll.

Impressions of the welcome event for new students in the stadium:

Christoph Edeler, Head of University Sports at TU Dortmund University, acted as emcee for the start of the semester in the stadium.
The welcome event for new students in the SIGNAL IDUNA PARK stadium celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.
TU Dortmund University’s cheerleading team was also there.
The cello quartet of Dortmund Philharmonic Orchestra Musical, among others, provided the musical accompaniment.
The event was also translated into sign language.
Julia Wissert (Theater Director), Fabian Schäfer (Deputy Opera Director) and Gabriel Feltz (Musical Director) also took part in the event.
The General Student Committee, represented by chairpersons David Wiegmann (right) and Leonie Lippert (left), also welcomed the new students.
Opera singer Mandla Mndebele sang the BVB anthem “You’ll never walk alone”.
There were also prizes to be won, including a football signed by the BVB team.
BVB legend Teddy de Beer drew the winners.
The three lucky winners with Teddy de Beer (2nd from left), Christoph Edeler (right) and Johannes Zedel, Press Officer of Dortmund Student Services (left).
The three darts mark the winners of the vouchers provided by Dortmund Student Services.
TU president Manfred Bayer kicked a ball with autographs of the current BVB squad into the crowd.
It was caught by a happy winner.